BSB: Bradley Ray sticks with Buildbase Suzuki for 2019

Bradley Ray remains part of the Buildbase Suzuki squad for the 2019 BSB championship

Bradley Ray will remain part of the Buildbase Suzuki squad for the 2019 Bennetts British Superbike championship.

The 21-year-old made his BSB debut with the Hawk Racing-run squad in 2017, grabbing a maiden podium in his rookie year which came at Oulton Park, and has followed his impressive first campaign with a BSB Showdown spot this season – highlighted by a dominant double victory at Donington Park at the 2018 opener.

Having continued to impress the team, Ray has secured a one-year contract extension as is hoping for a strong finish to 2018 next week at the final round at Brands Hatch.

“I’m really happy to be staying with the team and with Suzuki for another year,” Ray said. “I’ve got a great relationship with everyone and we enjoy working together, and that should only give us a head-start next season.

“This year was only my second year on a superbike and the second year of development for the new GSX-R, and we’ve won races, been on the podium, and made it into the Showdown, so we can only be happy with that, and I’m confident that will continue next season.

“It was good to have everything signed and agreed nice and early. We’ve now got one round to go and I can focus on my riding and to try to finish the season strongly at Brands.”

Ray, who also scored points in a World Superbike wildcard entry at Donington Park for the Hawk Racing squad, also made his Suzuka 8-Hour debut earlier this year for factory squad Yoshimura Suzuki helping the team fight back from an early off which relegated them to 48th back to 10th place at the chequered flag.

“Continuing our association with Bradley next season is really important for us,” Hawk Racing boss Steve Hicken said. “Like many, we recognised his talent early on, and when he was in the supersport class two years ago we wanted to get him onto a superbike as soon as possible.

“He’s one of the most natural young talents in the country, so of course we’re really excited to be able to announce that he’ll again be on a Buildbase Suzuki GSX-R1000R for a third season in 2019.

“While we’ve got one round to go and are aiming to finish the season strongly, having everything signed and confirmed means we’ll be going into the winter with a clear focus on building for a title assault next year.”

Ray becomes the third rider confirmed on the 2019 BSB squad following Glenn Irwin’s switch to JG Speedfit Kawasaki and the big-name arrival of Scott Redding at Be Wiser Ducati.